Primordial Awakening: My Bloodline Evolves Infinitely

"Enemy soldiers? So the corpses here weren’t their entire force." Albert clicked his tongue in displeasure.

Glancing back, he scanned the scholars scattered around the interior of the fortress. They hadn’t yet managed to cut the overgrown roots.

The silver lining was that, due to the haunting atmosphere of the place, Albert had ordered the students to repair the entrance gates just in case a foe showed itself.

"Everyone! Mount the wall and wait for further instructions!" He yelled at the top of his lungs.

Elizabeth pulled back from the hug, her face regaining its usual cool persona.

"Let’s go and see what’s happening." She said quietly.

"So we aren’t getting the fortress without a fight after all..." Leonard nodded, his palms clenching into fists.

The two dashed towards the outpost’s fortifications. Along the way they reunited with the rest of the party.

"I hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but I fear we don’t have any choice." Winston proclaimed, reaching into his bag and taking out chocolate muffins for everybody. "Come on, eat your fill!"

"Hell, yeah! That’s what I’m talking about!" William smiled, eating while still mid-run and wolfing it down in just a few bites.

The rest followed suit. Even Elizabeth didn’t hesitate to accept the food and its buffing effect.

[Vitality, Strength, Agility, and Endurance have been buffed by 5 points for the next 2 hours!]

Upon consuming the food, Leonard felt the blood in his veins surge with newfound power.

"I wouldn’t mind you teaching me how to cook like this once this is over." He admitted with a chuckle.

"Out of the question!" Winston puffed out his chest proudly. "The recipe is a family secret!"

Climbing the stone staircase, they scaled the fortified wall.

Sure enough, far in the distance, they saw a squad of soldiers approaching on foot. An army vehicle trailed at the very front, with Sandromia’s flag planted on top, fluttering against the cold wind.

Leonard’s eyes peered deep across the horizon, counting their numbers.

"More than a hundred." He realized somberly.

The Elite grade consisted of approximately forty scholars. Even counting Professor Albert and Miranda in the mix, they were still outnumbered by more than two to one.

It didn’t take long for the scholars to realize that fact as well. They began to murmur among themselves.

"Damn, so in the end, there were Sandromia’s soldiers. Could the bastards have been lying in wait?" Russell grumbled aloud. "Whatever. Once I’m done with them, even their mother won’t recognize them."

"Why do I feel like we’re missing something?" Harley’s eyes narrowed. "Too many things don’t add up."

Elizabeth spared her a glance and nodded.

"Indeed. There are too many unanswered questions. Where did these roots and vines come from? What happened to the soldiers stationed here? Why bother sending these ones?"

"I—I feel kind of scared..." Cassie shuddered subtly, taking hold of Winston’s hand. "Y—You will protect me, right?"

"Naturally!" Winston gulped audibly, trying to hide that he, too, was startled by the enemy’s numbers.

"Calm down." Samantha tapped the back of Cassie’s head. "We are healers. If a fight breaks out, they will be on the front lines while we remain inside these walls."

"Y—You have a point." Cassie massaged her head timidly.

"That doesn’t make us feel any better!" William objected.

During the chaos, Miranda made use of the moment and slipped over to Leonard’s side.

"Young Master." She whispered into his ear. "Please, for both of our sakes, treasure your safety above all else. Sometimes running away is the best option. Remember, there is nothing honorable about death."

’We don’t even know what will happen yet, and she is already conditioning me to withdraw if things get out of hand.’ He exhaled quietly, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"Have faith in me." He replied, meeting her gaze.

All chatter came to an abrupt end. Professor Albert jumped down before the newly repaired gates.

The frown that was permanently etched onto his face darkened, turning into something more sinister.

"HALT!"

By bringing his wand next to his mouth, he projected his voice across the whole perimeter. His words echoed deafeningly, reaching far past the domain of the outpost.

The approaching military force came to a halt. The lined-up soldiers stood next to one another, making the scholars’ prior attempt at keeping up formation look like child’s play in comparison.

The engine of the army vehicle produced a warm humming sound as it slowly came to a stop.

Albert stood unwavering as he faced an army numbering more than a hundred men.

"I, Albert, prominent professor of Eternia City, warn that you stand before Ironstone Fortress, an outpost that belongs to us! If you do not turn around and leave these lands for good, you will be considered invaders from henceforth and meet your end here!"

"..."

Deadly silence descended upon the field. Sandromia’s soldiers had helmets that blocked their facial expressions, while the scholars mentally prepared themselves for the fight ahead.

Just then, the doors of the vehicle shuddered and creaked open. Thick smoke emerged from the entrance, along with the figure of a tall man.

Clad in a high-ranking military uniform, he stood out when compared to his troops. His white hair was cut short, and his blue eyes surveyed the fortress up ahead.

"I am Godfrey, one of the main advisors to Sandromia’s King and an esteemed military general." General Godfrey introduced himself.

"According to international law, I hereby announce my siege upon your fortress and give you the chance to abandon your positions. Should you surrender, you shall be spared and allowed to walk free. Resist... and perish where you stand."

Albert raised his chin.

"Ironstone Fortress has remained unconquered for generations. Your army will fail like the rest!"

Although they were at a disadvantage, it was smarter to bluff. There was always the chance to rattle the morale of their foes.

General Godfrey met Albert’s stare, his lips slowly curling into a mocking grin.

"Such confidence... The last man tasked with holding the fortress said the same thing."

"What?" Albert narrowed his eyes.

Godfrey’s grin widened.

"This is not the first time we have tried to claim this fortress. A few days ago, we met the soldiers here in battle. However, they proved far too many for us to handle... at least without suffering too heavy a cost... so we arrived at a compromise."

Godfrey explained.

"I sacrificed a portion of my troops to force open the gates. Then, I lured a monster and let it deal with the rest... Sure, some of my men got caught up in the trap, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, right?"

He shook his head.

"Honestly, we reckoned that by the time we returned, the fortress would be ours for the taking, only to realize that reinforcements had already arrived.... What a pity."

At the mention of a monster, Albert’s gaze dropped toward the roots that were extending toward the fortress, clinging to its walls.

"Nonsense! We have already tested these vines. They lack any sign of consciousness!" Albert barked back. "You are lying!"

"Am I?" Godfrey tilted his head to the side.

"Let’s find out."

He took out a knife and cut his palm, letting his blood seep onto the roots below.

The branches drank his life essence greedily...

And bloomed.

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